Dancing the Night Away:
ICS Fundraiser to Benefit Matheny

Ryan O'Connor

The Immaculate Conception School here has designated Matheny as the beneficiary of its Dance-A-Thon being held April 20 and 21. Eight-year-old Ryan O’Connor, son of John and Debbie O’Connor of Annandale, NJ, is a student at the Matheny School. His mother is the Social Concerns chair at Immaculate Conception’s Home and School Association, and she suggested Matheny as this year’s Dance-A-Thon recipient. "Matheny," she says, "tries to provide these children with every opportunity to experience life at the highest quality possible. They set no boundaries for any of these children but allow them to thrive in a safe medical environment."

Sharing her own experience, O’Connor recalls being told, "there was no chance Ryan would ever walk. On Christmas Day 2008, at the age of almost six, Ryan stood up and walked, completely unassisted for an extended period of time. This would never have been possible if he were not in the hands of the staff at Matheny."

The Dance-A-Thon, O’Connor says, will consist of "24 hours of fun and dance starting at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 20, to 6:30 p.m. on April 21. From 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, some of the Matheny students will participate for a ‘meet & greet’ and adaptive movement.